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2-Month Transition Anticipated for Industry Veteran
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, November 04, 2021) – The Fitness Business Association (FBA) today announced the retirement of Executive VP of Business Development Chuck Leve, effective at the end of the year.
A 50-year veteran of the fitness industry, Leve’s accomplishments have been well documented, including significant roles in what he termed his career “Big 3”:
- Creating the infrastructure and overseeing the meteoric growth of Racquetball from 1970-1980, leading to his 1997 induction into the Racquetball Hall of Fame
- Creation and growth of IHRSA, generating roughly two-thirds of IHRSA revenue from advertising, sponsorship and trade shows (from 63 booths in 1981 to 1,800 booths in 2008)
- Co-creation and growth of the Association of Fitness Studios (now FBA) and its SUCCEED! event brand from 2012 to the present
“It’s a bittersweet moment to be sure,” said Chuck. “As much as I want to continue to do the FBA work I love – working with my son Josh and building bridges between fitness buyers and sellers, the reality is I need to focus my time and energy on my health.”
“It will be a gradual transition,” said FBA CEO Josh Leve. “We’re weighing our options both internally and externally. I know Chuck will give us everything he can but the reality is – as we all know – personal health comes first.”
“I want to thank the thousands of fitness professionals of all sizes and shapes for placing their trust in me over the years,” said Chuck. “I’ve worked with CEOs and I’ve worked with industry newcomers and regardless of the outcomes of individual deals, I’ve tried to do my work with integrity and dependability. I trust that will be my legacy.”
"When it comes down to it, the truth of the matter is Chuck's legacy within the fitness industry goes deeper than integrity and dependability," says his son and FBA founder & CEO, Josh Leve. "Without Chuck, there's no FBA and without Chuck, there are business owners, entrepreneurs, fitness professionals, executives, and many others that aren't where they are today because of the path this man paved. Chuck was a mentor and friend to many, including myself. He was the person I always turned to for an honest and direct response. And while we also butted heads on many occasions, our bond and mutual respect only grew stronger. The truth of the matter is what Chuck did for this industry can never be summed up in a paragraph or press release, because the impact he made on this industry is so much greater than that. He will be missed greatly but his mark on the fitness industry will live on forever."
About the FBA
The Fitness Business Association (FBA) is the only membership community dedicated solely to fitness businesses of all types. FBA provides owners and fitness professionals a wide array of business-specific products, services, and benefits that enable them to more effectively manage and grow their businesses, building on the passion, compassion, and courage they’ve already shown. FBA educational offerings include SUCCEED! Fitness Business Conventions & Expos - both in-person and virtual.
About SUCCEED! Conferences & Expos
Launched in May 2019 as an in-person event, and continuing with three COVID-induced virtual events in 2020 and 2021, SUCCEED! Conferences & Expos have drawn over 15,000 owners, operators, fitpros, and aspiring fitness business owners of all types. The next event is the SUCCEED! Virtual Conference & Expo, November 12, 2021.